By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Rivers State government has started an appraisal of its pension law with a view to ameliorate the challenges of civil servants.
Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Ipalibo Banigo also disclosed that the civil service laws would be reviewed as part of its restructuring programme.
Dr Banigo was speaking during a special thanksgiving and dedication service to usher in the New Year for its civil servants at the State Secretariat Complex, Port Harcourt City, Rivers State.
According to the Deputy Governor, the state government was committed to the welfare, progress and efficiency of civil servants, noting “this is why salaries and pensions are paid regularly to workers and retirees”.
Dr Ipalibo condemned the manner in which some workers abscond from and relegate assigned duties, stating that “despite efforts of government to meet the yearnings and aspirations of workers in the State, many do not reciprocate the gesture. Rather they are consistently absent from work and report late to the office as well as engage in corrupt practices, which tend to run down the Civil Service” and urged its workforce to reciprocate the goodwill of government by redefining their attitude to work in line with the theme of the service, which is ‘Loyalty in Service.’
Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Mr Oris Onyiri and Head of the Civil Service, Mr Rufus Godwin urged workers to be dedicated to service, pointing out that government has provided for workers to pursue further training for enhanced productivity to apply for study leave with pay.
In goodwill messages to the workforce, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani and the Chief Judge, Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra urged civil servants to remain committed to service.
In a brief sermon, a preacher, Dr Steve Ogan identified faithfulness, determination, devotion, dedication, allegiance, fidelity and ultimate sacrifice as guiding principles for civil servants.
He called on workers to shun all acts of corruption and dishonesty, and imbibe the virtues of servant leadership contending that loyalty was indispensable in the civil service.